On Deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

2021 Kongsgaard Napa Chardonnay
2021 Ballentine Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: This is a fruit-forward wine, with dark fruit dominating the palate. Blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, and currants explode on the nose and palate. Black currant, raspberry, and cherry pair seamlessly with cigar box, leather, tobacco leaf, and subtle herbaceous. Hints of black olive, black tea, dark cocoa, and eucalyptus complement the soft tannins and keep this wine balanced. This medium-bodied wine finishes with fig preserves and baking spices. This is an elegant wine crafted to be enjoyed upon release but can easily hold up to age for another 7-10 years. $60

Wine Spectator 97 Points
Paolo Scavino Barolo Monvigliero 2019

Saturated with cherry, raspberry and violet aromas and flavors, this pure and silky red is both elegant and beautifully structured. Very expressive today, already showing harmony and excellent length on the finish, with mineral and underbrush accents adding depth. Best from 2025 through 2042. 600 cases made, 180 cases imported. $107

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Taste 2022 Alban Central Coast Viognier, 2019 Beringer Knights Valley Reserve Cabernet and 2021 Bevan Ontogeny Proprietary Red at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, October 26th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2022 Alban Central Coast Viognier

Winemaker Notes: Something I hope you’ll enjoy sharing with your customers is our 2022 Central Coast Viognier: Medium straw color, deep rich nose of apricot, peach, and mango with ginger and exotic spices. Round and dense entry with classic Viognier oiliness, mouth coating while maintaining freshness with lush fruit, spice, creaminess, long with a surprising, gentle and bright upturn of acidity at the very end. The ’22 CCV cries out for some crab or shellfish but it will pair nicely with a wide array of cheeses or chicken dishes. $30

James Suckling 95 Points
2019 Beringer Knights Valley Reserve Cabernet

Aromas of black tea, blackberry and tobacco leaf. Full-bodied with velvety, slightly tense tannins. Lovely black-fruited palate with dried-flower and herb character. Roses, violets and sage. Nicely balanced and long. Lovely density in the center-palate. Best after 2025. $50

2021 Bevan Ontogeny Proprietary Red

Winemaker Notes: The 2021 vintage is showing so massive on release that it’s giving us 2018 vibes. As usual, it is a blend of all of our best vineyards, although primarily Tench Vineyard. Prominently Cabernet Sauvignon, it shows massive power and is one of our darkest Ontogeny bottlings ever, yet it still retains its complexity with the Merlot and Cabernet Franc additions. Vibrant blueberry, boysenberry and créme de cassis with super concentrated fruit, and with the weight and tannin in the back palate that will allow this wine to age gracefully. Deep, dark and powerful. $100

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Antonio Galloni, Vinous 96 Points
2021 Capiaux Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir

The 2021 Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard is fabulous. Bright, punchy and explosive, the 2021 captures the essence of this Santa Lucia Highlands site. Inky blue/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, licorice and mint saturate the palate. Even with all of its intensity, the 2021 retains terrific freshness and verve. This Capiaux wine emerges from the one parcel at Pisoni planted with own rooted vines. $70 (Arrives GT 10/27/23)

Antonio Galloni, Vinous 96 Points
2021 Capiaux Starscape Vineyard Russian River Pinot Noir

The 2021 Pinot Noir Starscape is one of the most potent, virile wines in the range. These old vines planted in the 1960s with the wide row spacing typical of the era yields a decidedly potent, muscular Pinot. Most of the 2021s here are quite refined, but the Starscape is all about power and structural intensity. Dark blue/purplish fruit, lavender, graphite mocha and spice linger on the finish. This is a dazzling effort from Sean Capiaux. $60 (Arrives GT 10/27/23)

Double Gold * 2023 SUNSET INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION 96 Points
2021 J. Lohr Hilltop Cabernet

Winemaker Notes: Exhilarating blackberry and blueberry aromas are enhanced by crushed violet, herbes de Provence, and spiced tea. On the palate, dense and soft, with finely textured tannins. Juicy layers of black and red currants lead to a bright finish, accented by pastry notes from extended barrel aging. $30 Our Price $29.39 (Back in stock GT 10/27/23)

Wine Spectator 91 Points
William Fèvre Chablis Domaine 2021

An expressive Chablis marked by gooseberry, flint, stone and lemon aromas and flavors, with an accent of fresh herbs or spring meadow adding a green element. Tangy and long. Drink now through 2028. 5,000 cases imported. $45 Our Price $38.99 (Available GT and VRW)

2021 Bevan Ontogeny Proprietary Red

Winemaker Notes: The 2021 vintage is showing so massive on release that it’s giving us 2018 vibes. As usual, it is a blend of all of our best vineyards, although primarily Tench Vineyard. Prominently Cabernet Sauvignon, it shows massive power and is one of our darkest Ontogeny bottlings ever, yet it still retains its complexity with the Merlot and Cabernet Franc additions. Vibrant blueberry, boysenberry and créme de cassis with super concentrated fruit, and with the weight and tannin in the back palate that will allow this wine to age gracefully. Deep, dark and powerful. $100 (Back in stock GT and VRW)

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Taste 2020 Emmolo Napa Merlot, 2019 Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve Napa and 2019 Beaulieu Vineyard Rutherford Reserve at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, October 27th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2020 Emmolo Napa Merlot

Winemaker Notes: This well-balanced and darkly colored Emmolo Napa Valley Merlot evokes the scents of saddle leather, coffee and plum, with traces of smokiness amidst its rich fruit. A smooth entry on the palate leads into ripe flavors of plums, prunes and cocoa, balanced by acidity and a grippy tannin character. On the finish: a harmony of fresh earthiness, smoky notes and cocoa's lingering, inviting warmth. $55

Wine Spectator 92 Points
Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve Napa Valley 2019

A nice, plush style, with cassis and cherry compote notes rolling through, laced with singed vanilla and licorice. Reveals good underlying freshness, with an echo of violet through the finish as the fruit plays out. Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2032. 20,877 cases made. $65

James Suckling 95 Points
2019 Beaulieu Vineyard Rutherford Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

A very attractive red now, with complexity and yummy drinkability. It’s medium-bodied with medium, round tannins that are fresh and more-ish. It’s dusty and lightly earthy with dark currants as well as tobacco. So much going on, in a subtle and refreshing way. 85% cabernet sauvignon, 10% petit verdot, and 5% malbec. Drink or hold. $80

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Taste 2021 MacMurray Ranch Estate Russian River Pinot, 2018 Beringer Distinctions Napa Cabernet and 2019 O’Shaughnessy Howell Mountain Cabernet at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, October 28th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

2021 MacMurray Ranch Estate Russian River Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: The MacMurray Estate Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir opens with aromas of lavender and boysenberry, giving way to flavors of dark cherry, pomegranate and vanilla. This luscious wine has a silky mouthfeel, framed by subtle hints of oak from barrel aging. $30

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points
2018 Beringer Distinctions Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Distinctions is another well-made wine with lots to love. Plenty of black and subtle blue fruits, notes of tobacco leaf, smoked earth, and graphite, medium to full body, and a seamless texture all make for an undeniably delicious red that’s ideal for drinking any time over the coming 10-15 years. $60

Jeb Dunnuck 98+ Points
2019 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is an incredible wine, and it flirts with perfection. Full-bodied and concentrated, it has flawless balance and elegance as well as just textbook Howell Mountain notes of blue fruits, cassis, violets, graphite, and background oak. I love its tannins, it has remarkable purity of fruit, and a great, great finish. It has some appeal today yet deserves 4-5 years of bottle age and should have over two decades of longevity. $110

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Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW)
1552 E. Champlain Drive, Ste 109 Fresno, CA 93720
Via Montana Center (NE Corner Shepherd and Champlain-Two doors south of Big 5) www.vintagereserve.biz 559-878-3953
Tuesday-Friday 12:00 Noon-6:00 PM
Saturday 12 Noon-4:00 PM

The Grape Tray (GT)
6023 N. Palm Avenue Fresno, CA 93704
Opus One Center (NW Corner Bullard and Palm)
www.grapetray.com 559-226-6828
Tuesday-Friday 10:30 AM-5:30 PM
Saturday 10:30 AM-4:00 PM